U.S. Mulling Sharing Missile-Defense Data With Russia

The head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency says the Obama administration has discussed declassifying key data on U.S. missile defense in order to provide it to Russia.

Questioned by a Republican lawmaker on May 8, Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Admiral James Syring said that he has discussed declassifying data, including the speed of interceptors, with senior Defense Department officials.

"There has been a discussion on the capability of the current missiles we are building and the velocity [once fuel has been expended]," Syring said.

Analysts say the Obama administration has been debating ways to ease Russian fears that the U.S. missile defense shield is aimed at countering Russia's nuclear arsenal.

Arms control advocates have argued sharing such data with Russia could help ease tensions and lead to a breakthrough on nuclear arms reductions.

Some Republicans, however, accuse the Obama administration of compromising national security to appease Moscow.